So here's the situation...

Johannesburg has great weather, flat streets and interesting places to see. However, the general sentiment is that you don't walk here unless you have to. Sometime over the past century, Jozi transformed from the city of gold to the city of walls and cars. Now, since so many people don't walk, to do so may make one feel uneasy or even be outright discouraged (by those who have never tried). My frustration is that as a white woman, I'm so unique in being à pied that I know I look unusual at best, conspicuous at worst. But I've largely gotten used to that fact and moved past it. When I first started walking in Jo'burg two years ago, I only felt comfortable pretending that I was walking for exercise, so I'd don running shoes (takkies) and hoodies even to go to the mall. Now I can't be bothered to minimize my fashion potential like that every day, so now I just go with whatever I'm already wearing.

There are places that I don't like walking. I'm not a Melville fan. I avoid Louis Botha Ave. I don't walk downtown. I always, always get turned around in Craighall Park! Other places become more comfortable over time. I laugh to remember that I was a little nervous walking around Houghton -- haughty Houghton! -- the first time. You have to find out what feels comfortable for you.

I follow a few personal rules of the pavement:

• Always follow your gut instinct about security and don't hesitate to turn right around if you feel uneasy
• Never carry anything with you that you'd be sad to lose
• Don't walk at night; for me, I like to get to where I'm going by dusk at the latest
  
• When checking out a new neighborhood, give yourself multiple days to get a feel for the place and to find your chosen routes
• Say hello to as many people as possible -- not only does it build a security net around you, it's just a nice thing to do